This is just simply horrible… An effeminate, gay, 15 year old teen in Oxnard California named Lawrence King was shot in his first period English class and later died in the hospital as the result of his injuries. Apparently, a classmate didn’t like the fact that he was gay.

While some gay teens are able to “pass” the ones who are effeminate just can’t hide who they are. It’s hard enough for them going to school every day and being ridiculed for being the way they are (Lawrence King apparently had been harassed for a while before the shooting), but for them to now have to deal with the prospect of being killed while attending school is just too much.

This case points out a number of things. First, it is urgent that we pass hate crimes legislation that protects gay men, lesbians, transsexuals (and a few straight people who appear gay). Ironically the people who are most vocal in their opposition to gay hate crime legislation are themselves protected by hate crime legislation (for their religious beliefs).

And second, school administrators and teachers need to do a better job of protecting gay youth. The ones who come out in the hostile environment of high school usually don’t have an option, and they’re the most vulnerable to attack. This incident could have been handled while it was still teasing and taunting. If it had Lawrence King would still be alive.

With elections coming up I urge you to vote for candidates who understand that we are all created equal and we all deserve protection from hateful attacks.

I went to college (even grad school), but this video that explains why a woman didn’t go to college it too funny…

Dan and I went to the doctor the other day and it turns out we both had a Vitamin D deficiency. Apparently it’s pretty common - something like 40% of Americans have it and it’s particularly a problem among people in northern climates that don’t get much sun in the winter.

Scientists are urging the government to raise the recommended daily allowances (and “maximum safe” levels) for Vitamin D since they’ve found that having good Vitamin D levels significantly reduces the chance that you’ll get cancer.

The symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency are:

• Depression
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Excessive fatigue
• Low energy levels
• Low immunity levels
• Mood swings
• Muscle pain
• Weak bones (which might result in fractures)
• Weight Loss

The last one might be desirable, but that list sounded way too familiar to Dan and me - so we’re hoping the 10 week therapy our doctor put us on will help.

When you see your doctor next time ask that your Vitamin D level gets checked - especially if you’ve been feeling some of those symptoms listed above. And in the meantime, take your vitamins and eat things like beef to keep your Vitamin D levels up.